Explain the clinical significance of a prolonged time with each ...

[Garrulous]

Explain the clinical significance of a prolonged time with each of the following:
 
  a. Bleeding time
  b. Prothrombin time
  c. Activated partial thromboplastin time
  d. Thrombin time
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

A patient with a fibrinolytic deficiency would:
 
  a. Be prone to increased lysis
  b. Have increased levels of plasminogen
  c. Have abnormal screening tests (PT and APTT)
  d. Be prone to increased clotting

[cat123]

Answer to Question 1

Answer:
Bleeding time: Indicates a potential problem with platelet function. A platelet count in conjunction with a bleeding time would give more information about whether this is a platelet production problem or a platelet function problem. Prolonged bleeding times can be seen in patients with von Willebrand's disease, aspirin intake, and quantitative and qualitative platelet disorders.
Prothrombin time: Indicates a potential problem with the extrinsic pathway and/or common pathway. The PT is also used to monitor Coumadin therapy (along with the INR). Prolonged PT can be seen in factor VII deficiency.
Activated partial thromboplastin time: Indicates a potential problem with the intrinsic pathway and/or common pathway. The APTT is also used to monitor heparin therapy. Prolonged APTT can be seen in hemophilia patients and VWD patients
Thrombin time: Indicates a potential problem with conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. It is also extremely sensitive to heparin contamination.

Answer to Question 2

Correct answer: D

[Garrulous]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[samiel-sayed]

Great answer, keep it coming